Victoria and Johnny finished assembling their car. Time was up. Good thing Johnny's mechanical smarts stuck to Victoria like Velcro as he instructed her because incompletion of the assignment a minute after the given class time would place an infra red dot on a group for automatic failure. Neil walked around the classroom to examine everyone's vehicle for accurate repair.
"Why the hell is your steering wheel beneath the car, inside the tire and not in the driver's seat?" he asked Russell and Biff. The two just shrugged their shoulders with blank expressions. These guys were well known to be airheads in Bull worth.
"The engine belongs in the front of the car, not under the car. Were you two born with your brains between your legs? And why the hell is the backseat facing the opposite way?" he asked raising his hands irritated, while holding his clipboard.
"So the passengers don't have to face the back of someone else's head. Also it would be good for passengers to watch what's behind the car sir," says Biff, cracking a stupid smile as if he made sense. Some of the students in the class erupt in laughter.
"You buffoon! That's what the rearview mirror is for! Screw it, you two failed!" Neil swiftly puts the letter F next to Russell and Biff's name on his clip board.
He continues to examine vehicles assembled by the other groups. When he gets around to Johnny and Victoria's car, he stands back and takes a hard look.
"Hmm…this one looks good from here…so far." He walks around the car. Everything looks well put together. He checks the engine. Every part is in place. Then he steps into the driver's seat to start the engine with his key. The vehicle starts to roar.
"Job well done guys…I mean guy and girl. Since I can go as far as starting the engine, I'll give you two an A for today," he says smiling at the duo. Johnny and Victoria look at each other and smile.
"Maybe I should pair you guys up more often," Neil gives Johnny and Victoria a satisfied look. "For a new student, you sure catch on quick," he says to Victoria.
"Well… this guy helped me most of the way," says Victoria pointing to Johnny.
"Hey, you're learning from the best kid. Class is dismissed!"
Johnny and Victoria head over to the sink to wash the oil off their hands. Johnny lets V go first. "After you," he says extending his arm towards the sink.
"Thanks. How long have you been attending this school?"
"As long as I can remember. I know I skipped a few classes and I have to make some up this year and next year."
"Uhh… okay, that's all good," Victoria says as she shakes her hands dry and reaches for a paper towel from a stack sitting at the edge of the sink.
"How old are you?"
"I'm seventeen. Why are you asking questions about me sister?" he asks with suspicion after he washes his hands.
"Because, I do want to know the type of classmates I'm going to be dealing with for the rest of the year. You seem to be a cool guy who takes crap from no one." Victoria leans her hips against the large sink with her hands gripping the edges.
"Well, you're right," says Johnny, wiping the light sweat off of his face with a paper towel.
"I bet you have little or no problems with the other kids at this place."
"Sometimes people think my taste in fashion is weird and outdated but I don't give a damn. I'm just being Johnny Vincent. I'm still the king of the streets." Johnny and Victoria exit the classroom together with the other students.
"These other guys are just jealous because I have a hot girlfriend who appreciates me," he says pointing to himself. Victoria pauses for a few seconds. Damn! He has a girlfriend. Well I guess we can start out as friends first. I don't want to boost his ego and throw myself at him. I can't help it if the teacher paired us together for the class assignment.
Victoria knows in her heart she wants to tell Johnny that she likes him but she decided to hold back and continue to feel him out. Johnny is indeed a tough guy who does not take crap from anyone… except Lola. Despite her promiscuity, Johnny still manages to keep a soft place in his heart for her. He has forgiven Lola numerous times but she continues walking all over Johnny. She knows that Johnny is wrapped around her finger and his insecurity has reached the point where Lola is confident that Johnny will never cut her loose for another girl. Victoria, who has yet to know Lola, wants to get to know Johnny at a steady pace. However, when the time comes for V to get what she wants, sneaky as she is, V will take full advantage of the situation. In short, she will step on Lola's toes to get Johnny and find a way to remove her from Johnny's head.
"So, how long have you been happily dating this girl?"
"Well, we've been happily dating for a while, like for a year and three months," says Johnny partially lying, at least about the happily part.
"She's lucky to be on the arm of a tough, handsome guy like you. Since you claim she appreciates your charm, I bet you don't have to fight other guys off of her much. After all she's satisfied with what she has right?"
"Yeah…. I-I'm her one and only knight in shiny armor. She won't trade me in for anyone else." Knowing that his statement is untrue, Johnny nearly stumbles over his answer. He shifts his eyes in another direction.
"That's cool."
The two walk around the campus and continue to get to know each other. They walk until they are within the view of Jimmy, Zoe, and Petey who are sitting on the benches outside the schools main building.
"Is that Johnny Vincent walking with another girl?" asks Petey.
"Yeah. That's the new girl. Mandy had given her attitude when she came into the girl's dorm," says Zoe.
"What a surprise. Mandy will always be Mandy," says Jimmy casually.
"She even accused me of screwing Mr. Burton in front of everyone," she says clenching her teeth and balling fists.
"Aww man Zoe, that's low. Why the hell would she do that?" asks Jimmy with concern.
"Because she's a bitch and I was defending the new girl," Zoe regaining her composure.
"You, defending someone else, Zoe? That's new to me," says Jimmy looking at his girlfriend and raising his eyebrows.
"Well I know what its like to have some asshole picking on you for no particular reason and I don't care for Mandy much anyway." Zoe shrugs and nods her head.
"By the way, the girl's name is Victoria." Jimmy jerks her head in Johnny and V's direction.
"You met her already?" asks Petey.
"Uh huh. We're in the same music class together. She seems to be pretty cool," says Jimmy turning his attention to Johnny and Victoria, who are turning to their direction.